The weekly roundup is back! Check out the the scores and coaches' thoughts from week 3 of the National league season.
LBU Arena was alive with action this weekend as week 3 of the Junior National League season rolled on.
Our squads jumped into action across the North as several teams found their footing in their respective divisions, including a first trip out for our Division 3 Men's team this weekend.
Let's see how it all went down as we roundup week 3 of the 2023/24 JNL season.
Saturday 14th October 2023
WY Hawks vs COLBA
NBL Division 3 Men North
Result: 75-59 (L)
Player of the game: Akil Simpson
Coach Matt Newby: "With our new venture very much in its infancy, following the slow start, we rallied to reduce the 18 point deficit down to 6 points with just 5 minutes to go in the game. Unfortunately, there was mistakes on several key possessions which afforded the Hawks led by veterans Rob Donaldson & Jermayne Laing to temper the charge and come out on top. Despite the loss, we are excited about the contributions from the Academy stable and our partner LBU's players, and look forward to galvanising the unit in the coming weeks. We hope to see as many of our members as possible at our first home fixture this coming week on Saturday 21st October as we welcome the Sheffield Sharks to LBU Arena."
COLBA I vs COLBC U18 Men
U18 Men North I Conference
Result: 75-54
Player of the game: Josh Norton
Coach Matt Newby: "A very positive day for the programme as COLBA matched up with COLBC. A well-contested fixture would see highlights for both representative elements of the club, with the club side punching first with a flurry of perimeter shots which made the game exciting and put the Academy on their back foot in the first instance. With the improved integrity in our half-court defense, the Academy began to assert itself, but had to manage several more strong runs from Coach Cragg's chargers. An impressive well-rounded display from Josh Norton was certainly one of the determining factors with another double-double, while strong contributions from a number of under-classmen secured a win for the COLBA. I can't sign off without mentioning the stellar defensive performance of Sean Engbison, who slowed down COLBC Sam Barraclough and led from the front with his intensity as always."
COLBA II vs East Durham Lions
U18 Men North I Conference
Result: 66-82 (L)
Player of the game: Jack Westgarth-Graham
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: "An exciting new venture for the U16 Gold Boys as they played in the U18s Conference for the first time! We had started slow in the first half with a lot of be desired on the defensive end but showed great promise offensively which kept us in the game. We struggled with some foul trouble early in the third quarter which slowed our momentum down but kept pushing into the fourth with extra passes to three point shots, strong drives and even multiple blocks! Unfortunately, we couldn’t close out the game after Durham hit some big shots to stop our efforts. I’m excited about the development of the group and progression that the boys are continually making”
Liverpool vs COLBC U14 Girls
U14 Girls North Conference
Result: 65-72 (W)
Player of the game: Natasha Kumaraswamy
Coach Katie Lamond: Close battle for the U14 Girls this weekend! The girls showing their ability to fight right until the buzzer to come away with the win. A little rushed in moments due to the fast-paced game today. This impacted our composure and ability to look after the ball in key moments, often allowing Liverpool to convert points. However, the girls hustled non-stop! Each and every player showing their desire to recover , dive on a loose ball, fight for possession, and crash the offensive boards.When we found our composure, the girls demonstrated a strong offensive desire. Finding the wide runner and open pass.
Incredible offensive performance today from No.15 Natasha Kumaraswamy! Coming away with 27 points! Help defence, and taking the 'big hits' was another big positive of our game! On multiple occasions, players stood brilliantly, stopping the offensive drive and winning possession back. A few honourable mentions being N0.11 Jessica Woodward and N0.6 Georgia Allen often putting their body on the line without hesitation for the team - Georgia taking a big charge!
All in all, despite some moments of panic, the girls came out with a really strong team performance. It was a pleasure to be a part of the U14 team today!
COLBC U14 Boys Black vs Doncaster Eagles
U14 Boys North I Conference
Result: 18-85 (L)
Player of the game: Fraser Cummings
Coach Alex Scott: "It was a very tough game against a talented Doncaster Eagles side. The side started slow which allowed the eagles to build a lead early. The second quarter couldn’t have been more different as we burst off the block lead by Alex Newhouse to who got 4 points straight out the blocks. the team then showed great effort for remainder of the game to reduce doncaster’s significant scoring in the first. this hustle was showed phenomenally by Fraser Cummings as he finished with over 6 offensive rebounds! the team also showed some fine moments in the offence that were just missing a finish. all in all the game was positive and the boys learnt about the importance of hustle on both sides of the ball which we will look bring consistently for remainder of the season."
Teesside Lions vs COLBC U14 Boys White
U14 Boys North I Conference
Result: 94-17 (L)
Player of the game: Pavan Doullay
Coach Olly Kerwin-Clegg: "A tough start to the game saw an organised Teesside team run up an early lead. However the players never let their head drop and improved throughout the game. Our help defence was the strongest improvement throughout the game as the boys learn how to operate cohesively as a team. The final quarter saw strong transition basketball created through good defense led in large by Micah Brodie."
COLBC U12 Boys Gold vs LDM
U12 Boys Regional League
Result: 35-48 (L)
Player of the game: Nima Arielli-Celebicic
Coach Dave Sailsbury: "A local derby in the first league game for our boys this week in which they showed plenty of promises and some things to work on over the coming weeks. A tight first quarter finished neck and neck at 14 a piece as both teams competed hard and finished well around the rim. The turning point of the game was a second quarter in which we created several open looks at the basket but struggled to convert, finishing the quarter with just two points to LDM's 12.
The boys continued to fight in the third, with excellent on ball defence from Nima Arielli-Celebicic and Xavier Laucius. However, LDM continued to capitalise inside with good finishing in the paint and points of second chance opportunities. The boys rallied at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth but ultimately LDM were able to hold off the run and stretch their lead back out to double digits in the final minutes of the game. Overall a tough loss to take but there were plenty of positives to build on over the coming weeks."
COLBC U12 Boys Black vs LDM
U12 Boys Regional League
Result: 25-47 (L)
Player of the game: Wisdon Cebukhulu
Coach Dave Sailsbury: "A terrific first half performance for our boys in this one left the game close at half time. Wisdom Cebukhulu was a menace in the passing lanes, picking up multiple steals that led to fast break opportunities. Scoring from Geron Cheung, Charlie Mahon and Stanley Welford sent the teams into the half time break tied.
As in the Gold game, the third quarter was decisive as we struggled to contain the ball handlers and lost the spacing that had made drives to the basket easier for ourselves in the first half. This is something we will continue to work on in practice and that our boys will develop over the season. The overall performance provides a solid foundation for us to build on throughout what will be a first season for many of these young men."
Sunday 15th October 2023
Tees Valley Mohawks vs COLBC U16 Boys Black
U16 Boys North I Conference
Result: 83-32 (L)
Player of the game: Max Jablonski
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: “A long trip further up north to play against one of the many coastal teams in the U16s Northern Conference league which was bound to be a tough matchup. The boys started the game with lots of energy and a couple transition baskets but struggled against a good defensive Mohawks side. Although the boys struggled against the pressure of the oppositions full court press, they continued to cheer, rally and have good moments of basketball which reflected some of the skills and tactical work we have been working on in practice. I look forward to our next practices with lots to work on!"
Rounding off the third weekend of the National League season, COLBC Director Matt Newby was excited about the future:
"Witnessing the U12s match up with cross-town rivals LDM, in a series of games which reflect the appetite for the basketball in the city, and the gym hosting another busy day of competitive basketball, I was excited to see our U18s and U14s at action at home, and our U14s girls collecting another win away in Liverpool.
Bringing Senior basketball returning to LBU Arena for the first time since 2018 is an exciting proposition, as is the opportunity to provide a platform for our Academy standouts and athletes form amongst Leeds Beckett University's ranks. We are aiming to develop an exciting format on game day and provide the young people within our Junior ranks, the opportunity to connect with young and talented role models, that have grown up within our system. I look forward to seeing players from around the programme supporting us on such an important night."
You can secure your tickets now for Saturday's big game by clicking this link:
The roundup will return next week after a 9 game slate on week 4 of the National League season.
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